Antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and protective effects of Gladiolus psittacinus on hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Abstract

Gladiolus psittacinus (GP) is an important medicinal plant in folk medicine where its corm is used for treatment of diabetes mellitus. Despite this, there is paucity of scientific information to justify its use as antidiabetic drug. Hence, this study was designed to explore antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and effects of aqueous extract of Gladiolus psittacinus (AGP) on hyperglycemia-associated oxidative stress in pancreas, kidney and liver of diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced in rats using streptozotocin 50mg/kg (i.p.). Normal and diabetic rats were treated orally with AGP once a day for 14days. Antidiabetic effects were evaluated on body weight, fasting blood glucose concentration (FBGC), lipid profiles and serum chemistry. Also, protective effects of AGP were also determined on markers of oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes and histopathology of pancreas, kidney and liver of diabetic rats. Treatment with AGP emanated to significant decrease of FBGC (552.67-157.33mg/dL), increase in body weight (100.01-133.76g) and positive modulation of lipid parameters in diabetic rats. The alteration in the contents of markers of liver and kidney function were significantly modulated in the diabetic rats upon treatment. Also, oxidative damage and antioxidant depletions in pancreas, kidney and liver were significantly mitigated in treated diabetic rats. Structural aberrations in the histopathology slides of pancreas, kidney and liver were improved upon treatment. It can be concluded that AGP could be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its related ailments, thereby justifying its usage in traditional medicine.